Metallogeny of the Baiyangping Lead-Zinc Polymetallic Ore Concentration Area, Northern Lanping Basin of Yunnan Province, China

The Lanping Basin in the Nujiang-Lancangjiang-Jinshajiang （the Sanjiang） area of northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau is an important part of eastern Tethyan metallogenic domain. This basin hosts a number of large unique sediment-hosted Pb-Zn polymetallic deposits or ore districts, such as the Baiyangping ore concentration area which is one of the representative ore district. The Baiyangping ore concentration area can be divided into the east and west ore belts, which were formed in a folded tectogene of the India-Asia continental coUisional setting and was controlled by a large reverse fault. Field observations reveal that the Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary strata were outcropped in the mining area, and that the orebodies are obviously controlled by faults and hosted in sandstone and carbonate rocks. However, the oreforming elements in the east ore belt are mainly Pb-Zn -Sr-Ag, while Pb-Zn-Ag-Cu-Co elements are dominant in the west ore belt. Comparative analysis of the C-O-Sr-S-Pb isotopic compositions suggest that both ore belts had a homogeneous carbon source, and the carbon in hydrothermal calcite is derived from the dissolution of carbonate rock strata; the ore- forming fluids were originated from formation water and precipitate water, which belonged to basin brine fluid system; sulfur was from organic thermal chemical sulfate reduction and biological sulfate reduction; the metal mineralization material was from sedimentary strata and basement, but the difference of the material source of the basement and the strata and the superimposed mineralization of the west ore belt resulted in the difference of metallogenic elements between the eastern and western metallogenic belts. The Pb-Zn mineralization age of both ore belts was contemporary and formed in the same metaliogenetic event. Both thrust formed at the same time and occurred at the Early Oligocene, which is consistent with the age constrained by field geological relationship.

A New Potential Caledonian–Indosinian Ore Concentration Area:Evidence from Diagenesis and Mineralization Ages of the Miao'ershan–Yuechengling Region

Objective The Miao＇ershan-Yuechengling composite granite, located in northern Guangxi at the western section of the Nanling Range, is a multi-period and multi-stage composite pluton with an exposed area of more than 3000 km2 （Fig. 1）. Paleozoic and Proterozoic strata are exposed around it, and magmatic activities mainly occurred during the Caledonian and Indosinian periods. Till now, more than one hundred W-Sn-Mo-Pb-Zn-Cu （U） deposits and ore occurrences have been discovered along the inner and outer contact zones of this granite. Through recent years＇ research, we infer that this area is not only a preferred area for studying granite and mineralization in Caledonian and lndosinian periods, but also a potential Caledonian- lndosinian ore-concentrated area.

Magmatic Evolution and Mineralization of Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits in the Duolong Ore Concentration Area, Tibet

The Bangong Lake-Nujiang River metallogenic belt is located between the Qiangtang Block and Lhasa Block, and the Duolong ore concentration area is located in the western section of the Bangong Lake-Nujiang River metallogenic belt. Till now, several large and super large copper-gold deposits, such as Duobuza, Bolong, Dibaonamugang, Naruo and Rongna deposits have been discovered in this area, mainly porphyry copper-gold ones.

The Use of Process Analysis and Simulation to Identify Paths to Improve the Operation of an Iron Ore Gravity Concentration Circuit

The processing of iron ore to recover the valuable iron oxide minerals is commonly carried out using spiral concentrators that separate valuable minerals from non-valuable ones on the basis of the specific gravity of minerals. This paper shows that the analysis of the operation of spirals should not only focus on the minerals (as it is usually the case), but should also consider the particle size of these minerals. Indeed, the sampling of two industrial iron ore circuits and the data processing of the resulting measurements show that unexpectedly about 10% of the coarse heavy iron oxide minerals are not recovered by the spirals of the two circuits. Tests conducted by an independent research center confirm this plant observation. The pilot plant tests also show that the wash water flowrate addition may adversely affect the recovery of coarse heavy mineral particles. A mathematical model for the spiral was implemented into a simulator for an iron ore gravity concentration circuit. The simulator shows a potential 0.7% increase of iron recovery by simply changing the strategy used to distribute the wash water between the rougher and the cleaner/recleaner spirals of the circuit. The simulator also shows that the introduction of a hydraulic classifier into the gravity concentration circuit yields a marginal improvement to the performances of the circuit.

Modeling of an Automatic Optimization System of Cyanide Concentration in Carbon in Leach for Optimal Ore Processing in a Mining Company

The optimization system, which was the subject of our study, is an autonomous chain for the automatic management of cyanide consumption. It is in the phase of industrial automation which made it possible to use the machines in order to reduce the workload of the worker while keeping a high productivity and a quality in great demand. Furthermore, the use of cyanide in leaching tanks is a necessity in the gold recovery process. This consumption of cyanide must be optimal in these tanks in order to have a good recovery while controlling the concentration of cyanide. Cyanide is one of the most expensive products for mining companies. On a completely different note, we see huge variations during the addition of cyanide. Following a recommendation from the metallurgical and operations teams, the control team carried out an analysis of the problem while proposing a solution to reduce the variability around plus or minus 10% of the addition setpoint through automation. It should be noted that this automatic optimization by monitoring the concentration of cyanide, made use of industrial automation which is a technique which ensures the operation of the ore processing chain without human intervention. In other words, it made it possible to substitute a machine for man. So, this leads us to conduct a study on concentration levels in the real world. The results show that the analysis of the modeling of the cyanide consumption optimization system is an appropriate solution to eradicate failures in the mineral processing chain. The trend curves demonstrate this resolution perfectly.

Deep Structural Framework and Genetic Analysis of Gold Concentration Areas in the Northwestern Jiaodong Peninsula, China： A New Understanding based on High-Resolution Reflective Seismic Survey

The gold concentration areas in the northwestern Jiaodong Peninsula constituted an important gold metallogenetic region in Eastern China during the Mesozoic. The deep geological bodies＇ texture characteristic is important for exploring the resources thoroughly and understanding the metallogenic process. The detailed textures were revealed using high-resolution seismic profiles through the three major ore-controlling structures-Sanshandao fault zone, Jiaojia fault zone and Zhaoping fault zone. This study aims to establish a deep structural framework of this area. Based on their formation mechanism, the fault structures developed in the area can be divided into regional and local fault structures. The structural styles are characterised by superimposing their compressional, strike-slip and extensional multi-stage activities. The crust is cut by vertical structures corresponding to a left-lateral strike-slip fault system on the surface. Nearby these structures are the arc-shape structures formed by multi-stage magma intrusions into the upper crust. Bounded by the Tancheng–Lujiang and Muping–Jimo fault zones, the current Jiaodong block, developed a series of NE-trending strike-slip fault systems, was probably formed by the assemblage of several obliquely aligned blocks. The intensive magmatism and hydrothermal activity between the blocks induced large-scale mineralisation. It provides a new angle of view for understanding the cratonic destruction and large ore-concentration formed during the Mesozoic.

Basic characteristics of Australian iron ore concentrate and its effects on sinter properties during the high-limonite sintering process

The basic characteristics of Australian iron ore concentrate (Ore-A) and its effects on sinter properties during a high-limonite sintering process were studied using micro-sinter and sinter pot methods. The results show that the Ore-A exhibits good granulation properties, strong liquid flow capability, high bonding phase strength and crystal strength, but poor assimilability. With increasing Ore-A ratio, the tumbler index and the reduction index (RI) of the sinter first increase and then decrease, whereas the softening interval (Delta T) and the softening start temperature (T (10%)) of the sinter exhibit the opposite behavior; the reduction degradation index (RDI+3.15) of the sinter increases linearly, but the sinter yield exhibits no obvious effects. With increasing Ore-A ratio, the distribution and crystallization of the minerals are improved, the main bonding phase first changes from silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminum (SFCA) to kirschsteinite, silicate, and SFCA and then transforms to 2CaO center dot SiO2 and SFCA. Given the utilization of Ore-A and the improvement of the sinter properties, the Ore-A ratio in the high-limonite sintering process is suggested to be controlled at approximately 6wt%.

Study on element detection and its correction in iron ore concentrate based on a prompt gamma-neutron activation analysis system

A prompt gamma-neutron activation analysis(PGNAA) system was developed to detect the iron content of iron ore concentrate. Because of the self-absorption effect of gamma-rays and neutrons, and the interference of chlorine in the neutron field, the linear relationship between the iron analytical coefficient and total iron content was poor, increasing the error in the quantitative analysis. To solve this problem, gamma-ray self-absorption compensation and a neutron field correction algorithm were proposed, and the experimental results have been corrected using this algorithm. The results show that the linear relationship between the iron analytical coefficient and total iron content was considerably improved after the correction. The linear correlation coefficients reached 0.99 or more.

Interaction mechanism between carboxylmethyl cellulose and iron ore concentrates in iron ore agglomeration

Carboxylmethyl cellulose(CMC) has become a commercial organic binder in agglomeration of iron ore concentrates. The relative molecular mass and degree of substitution(DS) of CMC have a large impact on its binding performance. The interaction mechanism between CMC and iron ore particles was analyzed through Zeta potential measurements, adsorption measurements and infrared spectra. The results show that the interaction is chemical adsorption-oriented and the CMC's adsorption performance is related to the properties of CMC as well as the type of iron oxides. CMC has a greater affinity to Fe2O3 than Fe3O4, and CMC with higher relative molecular mass shows a higher adsorption isotherm. Pelletization of practical iron ore concentrates added with CMC further illustrates that CMC with higher relative molecular mass or DS exhibits a better binding performance, which is consistent with the results of adsorption tests.

Studies on Sulfating Roasting Process for Mianning Bastnasite and Baotou Mixed RE Concentrate Ore

Some processes of sulfating roasting and water leaching of crude Mianning RE concentrate ore, of fine Mianning RE concentrate ore, of Baotou RE concentrate ore and of their mixture were investigated.The result shows that the mixture of Mianning and Baotou RE concentrate ore has the optimum leaching rate and rate of recovery when the mixture ratio is 1:4.The recovery rate of the mixture is higher by 14.76% than that of crude Mianning RE concentrate ore, by 5.0 % than that of Mianning fine RE concentrate ore and by 2.4 % than that of Baotou RE concentrate ore.

Geological Characteristics of Epithermal Ore Concentrated Areas and Epithermal Ore Deposits in China

The epithermal ore concentrated area is located in Southwestern China. We systematically study the regional geological characteristics such as the basement of Proterozoic, the capping bed, Moho, geothermal feature and tectonics, and discuss the relationship between distributed characteristics of the epithermal ore deposits and ore control factors in this paper. It is concluded that the conditions, under which the epithermal ore deposits form, are huge thick basement of Proterozoic, long time and wide scope developed capping bed and weak magmatic activity. The basement of Proterozoic that enriches volcanic matters and carbon and the carbonaceous bearing and paleo pool bearing capping bed provides main ore source. The large and deep faults and paleopool accordance with gravity anomaly gradient control the distribution of epithermal ore deposits. The lithologic assembles of microclastic rocks and carbonate rocks in the capping bed provide spaces of ore precipitation and create conditions of ore precipitation. The coincidence of many geological factors above forms the epithermal ore concentrated area.

Development and Testing of a Method to Estimate the Mineral Composition of Ore from Chemical Assays with a View toward Geometallurgy: Application to an Iron Ore Concentrator

For complex orebodies in which the valuable metal is carried by several minerals that respond differently to the concentration process, an ore block model should not be characterized solely with elemental assays, as this information is not sufficient to anticipate the mill performances. Data from an iron ore concentrator is used to demonstrate the idea. A method is then proposed to estimate the mineral contents of ore samples from elemental assays. The method can readily be extended to combine the estimation of the mineral contents in the feed of the mill with an estimation of the recovery of these minerals into the products of the concentrator. These mineral recoveries can subsequently be incorporated into a block model to predict the concentrator response to the processing of an ore block.

Applicability of Gravity Separation Method on the Ashashire Gold Ore Deposit from Benishangul Gumuz Region, Western Ethiopia

The study was conducted to determine the applicability of gravity separation method on the Ashashire gold ore deposit Benishangul gumuz region, western Ethiopia. The Ashashire composite was produced to provide sufficient mass for this study and experiment, including sample preparation, mineralogical analysis of gold and associated elements, gravity concentration, and data interpretation and analysis. During the study, a grind optimization was conducted on the composites sample with varying grind size to evaluate the effect of grind size on gold recovery. The ore was moderately ground to the standard grind size of 80%, passing 106 µm, 75 µm, 53 µm and this nominal size was selected for the preliminary assessment for concentration optimization for this deposit. The gravity testing comprised three-stage concentration using Knelson concentrator. High recovery of gold from the gravity concentrates was achieved from the second gravity concentration. Based on the laboratory experimental result analysis, a grind size of P80 75 µm is selected as optimal size for the Ashashire gold deposit. Increasing the grind size from P80 of 75 µm to 106 µm decreases the recovery rate from 75% to 54%, or decreasing the grind size from P80 of 75 µm to 53 µm decreases the gold recovery rate to 37%. The native gold grain in the ores is mostly associated with quartz and fine gold is closely associated with pyrite. According to analysis of the fire assay, chemical, and mineralogical data, only gold and telluride is commercially valuable elements in the ores. Predominantly gold was occurred in the native form of Au-Te. The sample subjected to gravity separation assayed about 2.6 g/t Au.

Some basic properties of granules from ore blends consisting of ultrafine magnetite and hematite ores

Some basic properties of granules,including the granule size distribution,packed-bed permeability,and chemical composition of the adhering layer,were investigated in this study for four iron ore blends consisting of 5wt%,25wt%,and 45wt%ultrafine magnetite and 25wt%ultrafine hematite concentrates.The effects of varying the sinter basicity(CaO/SiO2 mass ratio=1.4 to 2.2)and adding ultrafine concentrates on the variation of the adhering-layer composition and granule microstructure were studied.Moreover,the effect of adhering-layer compositional changes on sintering reactions was discussed in combination with pot sintering results of ore blends.Increasing sinter basicity led to an increase in the basicities of both the adhering layer and the fine part of the sinter mix,which were higher than the overall sinter basicity.When the sinter chemistry was fixed and fine Si-bearing materials(e.g.,quartz sand)were used,increasing the amount of ultrafine ores in the ore blends tended to reduce the adhering-layer basicity and increase the SiO2 content in both the adhering layer and the fine part of the sinter mix,which will induce the formation of low-strength bonding phases and the deterioration of sinter strength.The adhering-layer composition in granules can be estimated in advance from the compositions of the-1 mm fractions of the raw materials.

Efficient enrichment of nickel and iron in laterite nickel ore by deep reduction and magnetic separation

The process of deep reduction and magnetic separation was proposed to enrich nickel and iron from laterite nickel ores.Results show that nickel-iron concentrates with nickel grade of 6.96%,nickel recovery of 94.06%,iron grade of 34.74%,and iron recovery of 80.44% could be obtained after magnetic separation under the conditions of reduction temperature of 1275℃,reduction time of 50 min,slag basicity of 1.0,carbon-containing coefficient of 2.5,and magnetic field strength of 72 kA/m.Reduction temperature and time affected the possibility of deep reduction and reaction progress.Slag basicity affected the composition of slag in burden and the spilling and enriching rate of nickel-iron from a matrix to form nickel-iron particles.Nickel-iron particles were generated,aggregated,and grew gradually in the reduction process.Nickel-iron particles can be effectively separated from gangue minerals by magnetic separation.

Improving the sintering performance of blends containing Canadian specularite concentrate by modifying the binding medium

Canadian specularite concentrate（CSC） possesses high total iron grade and low impurity content. However, due to the poor granulating performance and weak reactivity of CSC at high temperature, the proportion of CSC used in sintering blends is restricted. In this research, the effects of fine limonite, slake lime, and bentonite particles on the granulation performance of blends containing a high ratio of CSC were studied through granulation test. Based on the test results, the effects of modification of the binding medium on the sintering performance of blends containing a high ratio of CSC were revealed by the sintering pot test. Both the granulation property and sintering performance of blends with a high proportion of CSC were improved by modifying the binding medium.

A mathematical model for column leaching of ion adsorption-type rare earth ores

Column leaching experiments with ion adsorption-type rare earth ores for different lixiviant concentrations and different column heights were carried out.A mathematical model of column leaching was constructed based on the experimental data.Two parameters(a and b)in the model were determined according to the following methodology:the ore column was divided into several units;each unit was treated with multiple leaching steps.The leaching process was simulated as a series of batch leaching experiments.Parameter a of the model was determined based on the selectivity coefficient of the balanced batch leaching experiment.Further,the influences of ammonium sulfate concentration,rare earth grade,column height,permeability coefficient,and hydrodynamic dispersion coefficient on the extraction were analyzed.Relationships between parameter b,the ammonium sulfate concentration,and the physical and mechanical properties of the ore column,were examined using dimensional analysis.It was determined that the optimal ammonium sulfate concentration for different column heights(2.5,5.0,7.5,and 10.0 cm)using the mathematical model were 5.9,6.2,7.3,and 7.7 g/L,respectively.The mathematical model can be used to estimate the breakthrough curve,leaching rate,and leaching period of rare earth ores,to achieve optimal extraction.

Development of carbon composite iron ore micropellets by using the microfines of iron ore and carbon-bearing materials in iron making

Iron ore microfines and concentrate have very limited uses in sintering processes. They are used in pelletization; however, this process is cost intensive. Furthermore, the microfines of non-coking coal and other carbon-bearing materials, e.g., blast-furnace flue dust （BFD） and coke frees, are not used extensively in the metallurgical industry because of operational difficu]ties and handling problems. In the present work, to utilize these microfines, coal composite iron oxide micropellets （2-6 mm in size） were produced through an innovative technique in which lime and molasses were used as binding materials in the micropellets. The micropellets were subsequently treated with CO2 or the industrial waste gas to induce the chemical bond formation. The results show that, at a very high carbon level of 22wt% （38wt% coal）, the cold crushing strength and abrasion index of the micropellets are 2.5-3 kg/cm2 and 5wt%-9wt%, respectively; these values indicate that the pellets are suitable for cold handling. The developed micropellets have strong potential as a heat source in smelting reduction in iron making and sintering to reduce coke breeze. The micropellets produced with BFD and coke fines （8wt%-12wt%） were used in iron ore sin- tering and were observed to reduce the coke breeze consumption by 3%-4%. The quality of the produced sinter was at par with that of the conventional blast-furnace sinter.

Coupling of anionic wetting agents to dust of sulfide ores by dropping liquid method

By using the experimental approach of dropping liquid, the coupling of three anionic wetting agents with ten dust samples of sulfide ores was studied, and particularly the wetting effects of the wetting agents on the sulfide dust influenced by factors of agent concentration and sulfate additive in the wetting agent solutions were investigated. The results show that when the solution temperature is about 20 ℃, all the selected wetting agents are effective to most dust samples, but the effect is different. Wetting agents are more effective to the dust which is difficult to be wetted. Wetting agent solution with sodium sulfate can improve the wetting ability of sulfide dust. For sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, the suitable concentration of sodium sulfate is 12 mmol/L. The cost of wetting agents can be reduced because the sodium sulfate is much cheaper than many surfactants. Since the dust of sulfide ores is composed of various minerals and elements, the whole effect of depressing dust should be considered while innovating a wetting agent.

Addressing ore formation and exploration

Common base and noble metals represent an important economic factor in the actual industrial development.For instance the world resources for copper are actually estimated for about the next 30 years only.The situation requires rethinking the way major ore deposits form,leading to new guides for exploration.The present paper briefly examines the processes leading to ore formation,in relation with granitic or granodioritic intrusions.It identifies the importance of metal enrichment during the magmatic stage.Within the magma chamber that forms porphyry intrusions,metals may incorporate to first formed crystals,becoming inert;concentrate into the residual melt of a mush;or segregate by diffusion into the exsolved magmatic volatile phase(MVP)into which they are transported and precipitated.A competition results between elements partitioning and diffusivity.Hence,a specific Peclet number for each metal(Cu,Au,Ag,Mo,W,Sn,and REE)controls the ratio between the diffusive and the advective flux.Metals diffusivity in the melt shows differential behavior relative to a threshold of about10 13 m2/s.Metals with slower diffusivity values(e.g.As)will not concentrate.Conversely,fast diffusive metals(Au,Ag,Cu)may rapidly incorporate the MVP,provided an adequate component(halogens or S)is attractive for metals.The chemistry of the MVP escaping the magma induces different alteration patterns.Their relative content in F,Cl or S,attested by the composition of biotites and apatites,links with the preferential content of metals in o re deposits,representing a valuable tool for exploration.Finally the model is replaced in a set of coupled mechanical-chemical instabilities,within a three phase material.